Sizing box arrangement



United States Patent Max Wenger Niederuzwil, Saint Gall, Switzerland 683,694

Nov. 16, 1967 Dec. 22, 1970 Maschinenfabrik Benninger A.G. Uzwil, Saint Gall, Switzerland Nov. 22, 1966 Switzerland Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee Priority SIZING BOX ARRANGEMENT 9 Claims, 18 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl.

1 18/424 Int. Cl 1305c 3/12, 1305c 3/ 152 Field of Search 1 18/405, 419, 424; 68/46, 99; 28/28 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,552,295 9/1925 Hampson et a1. 1l8/419X 2,884,893 5/1959 Kabelitz 118/419X 3,076,724 2/1963 Freeze et al. 28/28X 3,284,870 I 1/1966 Griffin 28/28 3,396,444 8/1968 Griffin, Sr 28/28 Primary Examiner-John P. Mclntosh Attorney-Werner W. Kleeman ABSTRACT: A sizing box arrangement comprising a container for the sizing agent, and at least one squeezing zone formed by two rollers between which there is guided the warp which is to be finished. These two rollers are arranged in such a manner with respect to one another, that the line of contact of the aforesaid two rollers forming a squeezing nip coincides with the level of the sizing agent in the container.

PATENTED DEC22|97B 3548784 SHEU 1 BF 4 INVENTOR. Max Maur PATENTED 050221970 SHEET 2 OF 4 INVENTOR. m A A PAIENIED 1150221910 3.548784 A sum 3 or 4 INVENTOR.

PATENTEU UEC22 I976 sum u or 4 1 SIZING BOX ARRANGEMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved sizing box arrangement incorporating a container or vat for the sizing agent and at least one squeezer or squeezing zone formed by two rollers through which there is guided the warp which is to be sized or finished.

A manifold number of physical constructions of sizing boxes have become known to the art for the sizing of warps. According to a series of such constructions the warp is not immersed at all in the sizing agent, rather is guided between two rollers, the lower one of which is immersed in the sizing agent and applies the latter to the yarn or thread whereas the upper roller squeezes out excess sizing agent. In so doing, there occurs a superficial sizing which, when using a viscous sizing agent with good adhesive power, is sufficient for fine yarns.

However, heavier warps are guided through the sizing agent, and specifically through dipping or sizing rolls. These known constructions also incorporate a pair of squeezing rollers by means of which the entrained sizing agent is distributed in the warp and excess sizing agent is squeezed out after the warp has departed from'the container for the sizing agent.

The last-mentioned constructions are, however, generally associated with the drawback that they can not prevent the formation of so-called creeping or crawling tracks or streaks. These crawling streaks or tracks in the warp occur as a result of nonuniform application of the sizing liquor to the warp. This is brought about by the ability of the sizing roller to convey a predetermined quantity of sizing liquor from the level of the sizing agent into the squeezing nip or slit, which is greatly dependent upon the speed of the machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved sizing box arrangement which effectively overcomes the aforementioned considerable drawbacks of the known constructions and at the same time can be readily accommodated like a building block to all operating requirements, that is to say can be accommodated to the processing of each type of yarn, every number of warp threads and each type of sizing agent, and furthermore, in certain instances renders possible a more effective sizing along a shorter path owing to the optimum utilization of the absorption of the sizing agent.

Another considerable object of this invention relates to an improved sizing box arrangement which is relatively simple in construction, extremely reliable in operation, and possesses great versatility in carrying out different processing techniques at the material being handled.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the inventive sizing box arrangement is of the type incorporating a container for the sizing agent and at least one squeezer or squeezing zone formed by two rollers through which there is guided the warp which is to be sized. According to one important aspect of the invention, the line of contact of the two rollers which forms a squeezing nip or slit coincides with the level of the sizing agent in the container. If with such a construction of sizing box arrangement the warp is guided in such a manner that it is initially immersed and upon departing from the sizing agent it is squeezed, then a section of its length will never be located between the sizing agent and the squeezing nip. The formation of the aforementioned crawling tracks or streaks is effectively prevented by the simple measure that the squeezing nip is arranged exactly at the height of the level of the sizing agent in the container or vat and which is to be held constant.

On the other hand, such a sizing box arrangement can naturally also be used in 'such a manner that the warp is guided through the squeezing nip into the sizing agent. Consequently air is pressed out directly prior to entry of the warp into the sizing agent and this ensures for a subsequent optimum absorption of sizing agent.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention it is possible to combine both of the previously mentioned efiects in a sizing box arrangement wherein one roller is constructed as a sizing roller which is immersed in the sizing agent, and the other roller is constructed as a pressure roller which is pressed against the first roller. More specifically, this can be accomplished in that a second pressure roller can be pressed against the sizing roller in such a manner that its line of contact with the sizing roller forms a second squeezing nip and wherein such line of contact coincides with the level of the sizing agent in the container.

Now the warp can be guided about the sizing roller and through the sizing agent, so that at the moment of its entry into the sizing agent the air is pressed out of the warp at the squeezing nip between the further roller and the sizing roller, ensuring for an optimum absorption of sizing agent. On the other hand, the second squeezing nip distributes the sizing agent and squeezes out any excess at the moment of departure of the warp from the sizing agent. Consequently,there is achieved with a compact arrangement of the sizing box an exceptionally high degree of sizing. I

If the further roller is constructed as a doctor or wiper roller in accordance with a further embodiment, then there is pro vided the advantage upon guiding the warp through the squeezing nip between both of the first rollers and by arranging a further wiper roller at the first pressure roller, that the warp will arrive at the squeezing nip through the agency of an almost completely dry roller surface. This effectively prevents the formation of sizing agent pits at the input side of the squeezing nip or slit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent, when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an inventive embodiment of sizing apparatus composed of two similar sizing box units, each of which is provided with a sizing agent container and a squeezing zone or squeezer;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates thebasic elements of a sizing box of the type shown at the left of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 also schematically illustrates a basic element of a sizing box of the type appearing at the right of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 illustrate various guiding possibilities for one or two warps for sizing thereof in a sizing apparatus constructed of one or two sizing box units of the type shown in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 71I schematically illustrate different guiding possibilities for one or two warps in a sizing apparatus constructed from one or two sizing box units of the type shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 12-16 schematically illustrate difierent guiding possibilities for one or two warps in a sizing apparatus formed of a respective sizing box unit according to FIGS. 2 and 3, in other words with a sizing apparatus of the type illustrated in FIG. I; and

FIGS. 17 and I8 schematically illustrate different guiding possibilities for two warps in a sizing apparatus combined from three-sizing box units and a delivery or drawing mechanism constructed on the same building block principal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Considering now the drawings, the sizing installation de picted in FIG. I, consists of two-sizing box units each of which is equipped with a squeezer or squeezing zone, and wherein the sizing box units are assembled in accordance with the building block principle. Each of these units embodies a basic element 1 having a container or vat 2 which is open at the top and which serves for receiving the'sizing agent designated by reference numeral 3. One roller of the squeezing zone which is constructed as a sizing roller 4 is immersed in the sizing agent or material 3. This sizing roller 4 is rotatably mounted by means of its shaft 5 and can be driven through the agency of a suitable drive mechanism 6, for instance a chain drive. The second roller 7 of the squeezing zone is constructed as a pressure roller. It is rotatably mounted by means of its shaft 8 at the end of a lever 9. The other end of this lever 9 is hingedly mounted at location 10, so that the pressure roller 7 can be pivoted into the position 7' shown in phantom lines in order facilitate introduction of the warp into the squeezing zone. Furthermore, a rod member 11 is hingedly mounted at the end of the lever 9 which carries the pressure roller 7. One end of a double-arm lever 12 which is pivotable about a pivot pin 13 engages with this rod member 11, and the other end of the double-arm lever 12 is hingedly connected with a piston rod 14, the nonvisible piston of which reciprocates or travels in a suitable compressed air cylinder 15, for instance. By means of this double-acting piston-cylinder arrangement 15, it is possible, on the one hand, for the pressure roller 7 to be pressed with an adjustable pressure against the sizing roller 4, and, on the other hand, to place this pressure roller 7 into the pivoted position 7.

As will be recognized, the arrangement of the exemplary illustrated inventive embodiment is undertaken such that the imaginary connecting line of the axes of rotation 5 and 8 of the rollers 4 and 7, respectively, which define squeezing zone, forms an angle with regard to the vertical in a plane perpendicular to these axes, that is to say in the plane of the drawing. In the illustrated embodiment this angle amounts to approximately 45. The squeezing nip or slit 16 is located at the point of intersection of this imaginary connecting line with the jacket or surface of both of these rollers 4 and 7, and such squeezing nip is formed between the surface lines or generatrixes of both rollers 4,7 which contact one another at this location.

By the provision of suitable means which are not illustrated in greater detail, for instance an overflow, the liquid level 17 of the sizing agent 3 in the container 2 is maintained constant at such a height that the line of contact of both rollers 4 and 7 coincides with or falls exactly in a plane formed by the liquid level 17. This has noteworthy advantages and affords new possibilities which will be more fully considered hereinafter in conjunction with a series of examples.

In contrast with the previously described sizing box unit located at the left of FIG. 1, the unit located at the right of FIG. 1 only differs therefrom by virtue of the mirror-symmetrical arrangement of the pairs of squeezing roller 4,7.

The sequence of two-sizing box units chosen for the arrangement of FIG. 1 have only been selected as an exemplary arrangement, because it renders possible a great variety of warp guiding possibilities by virtue of its two pairs of rollers, and as will be more fully explained hereinafter. Furthermore, this sequence of two-sizing box units was additionally selected because it illustrates that notwithstanding that each unit with its one squeezing zone possesses an associated sizing agent container 2, when both units or elements are joined together there is provided a sizing apparatus which completely provides a sizing box arrangement with two sizing rollers which are immersed in the same sizing agent container.

Furthermore, mention should still be made of the fact that for each sizing box unit there is provided a guide roller 18 which is mounted at the pivot point of the lever member 9. This guide roller 18 serves to guide the warp to and/or from the squeezing zone.

FIGS. 2 and 3 schematically depict the sizing box units at the left and right, respectively, of FIG. 1 and from which the arrangement of FIG. 1 is assembled. There will now be explained on the basis of such schematic representations of the units different arrangements and guiding possibilities for warps K, wherein it should already be apparent from these examples of application that also a single one of these units for itself even provides different possibilities.

Now, for very dense or compact warps there is advantageously selected a guiding arrangement as such has been schematically represented in FIG. 4. The warp K is guided about the pressure roller 7 of a basic unit of the type shown in FIG. 3 and conducted into the sizing agent and departs from the latter by means of the squeezing nip or slit which is exactly located at the level of the sizing agent bath. Consequently, the warp K is initially immersed and thereafter squeezed. Apart from the improved through sizing of the warp threads which is achieved by the wedge action of the sizing agent at the squeezing nip, and which could not be obtained with a squeezing nip arranged externally or outside of the sizing agent, it should also be understood that the squeezing of the'warp at the level of the sizing agent ensures for a uniform sizing'of the warp independent of the speed of the machine, that is to say no socalled crawling streaks or tracks occur.

By joining together two basic elements of the type shown in FIG. 3 and with the same guiding of the warp it is possible according to FIG. 5 to provide an installation for the simultaneous sizing of two different light warps K1 and K2.

Furthermore, the arrangement according to FIG. 5 with two joined together basic units of the type shown in FIG. 3 can be employed for sizing a heavier warp which requires squeezing two times. In this case the corresponding guiding of the warp for this purpose has been shown schematically in FIG. 6. Now, FIGS. 71 1 inclusive illustrate different possibilities of utilizing one or two basic elements of the type shown in FIG. 2. In so doing it should be added that this basic unit incorporates a further roller 19, as will be apparent by inspecting the lefthand portion of FIG. 1. This roller 19 is likewise pivotably mounted at a lever 20 for rocking movement about the pivot pin 10. Furthermore, this further roller 19 in cooperation with the sizing roller 4 forms a second squeezing nip or slit 21 which is located at the same height or elevation as the squeezing nip 16 disposed at the opposite side of this sizing roller 4. In other words, this second squeezing nip 21 likewise coincides with the plane of the liquid level of the sizing agent 3 in the container 2. Moreover, the additional roller 19 can be pressed against the roller 4 by means of a suitable pressurized cylinder 24 or the like and through the agency of a rod member 23.

Also it should be understood that the basic element of the type shown in FIG. 2 even by itself enables a guiding of very light warps in the manner shown in FIG. 4 for the basic unit of the type depicted in FIG. 3, that is to say, wherein the warp is initially immersed and subsequently squeezed. Thus, as will be seen from the schematic illustration of such a warp guiding action as shown in FIG. 9, the residence time of the warp in the sizing agent is somewhat longer than for the corresponding warp guiding action undertaken in the basic unit shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, this arrangement is suitable for light yet sizing repellent warps.

By referring to FIG. 8 it will be recognized that it is also possible with the basic unit of the type shown in FIG. 2 to guide the warp in such a manner that it is squeezed directly prior to entering the sizing agent. Since the squeezing nip is located at the level of the sizing agent, the air will be pressed out of the warp thread resulting in an optimum absorption of sizing agent. This, of course, presupposes that the warp threads enter squeezing nip at a roller surface of both rollers 4 and 7 which is as dry as possible, since otherwise a sizing agent pit could form at the input side of the squeezing nip which would be obstructive to the expulsion of the air. Consequently, this purpose is fulfilled in the arrangement of FIG. 8 by the previously mentioned additional roller 19 which is constructed as a doctor or wiper roll which scrapes away sizing agent entrained by the sizing roller 4. Furthermore, in this case a further roller 22 which is also constructed as a doctor or wiper roll is provided for the pressure roller 7. This further wiper roll 22 can be pressed against a peripheral portion'of the pressure roll 7 which is located externally of the sizing agent.

Now, for the sizing of average warps along a unique or new shorter path there is particularly suitable the arrangement depicted in FIG. 7 in which the warp is squeezed at the squeezing nip 21 between the additional roller 19 and the sizing roller 4. This squeezing action is undertaken directly before the warp is immersed in the sizing agent, thus ensuring for an optimum absorption of sizing agent due to the expulsion of air. After the warp leaves the sizing agent it is once again squeezed in the squeezing nip 16 between the sizing roller 4 and the pressure roller 7. In this instance, the wiper roll 22 associated with the pressure roller 7 is not placed in operation, and therefore it is removed away from the pressure roller 7, as shown.

Continuing, it should be understood that by joining together two basic units of the type shown in FIG. 2, there can be obtained the possibility of simultaneously sizing two different light, yet sizing repellent warps. Such an arrangement is schematically depicted in FIG. 10. Both of the warps K1 and K2, each for itself, pass through a basic unit in the manner shown for the warp depicted in FIG. 7.

Furthermore, the same installation shown in FIG. 10 can be employed for sizing a heavier sizing repellent warp which then successively passes through both basic units and in so doing is twice squeezed each time, as will be recognized by inspecting the arrangement of FIG. 11.

FIGS. 12 to 16 depict different possibilities of utilizing an installation of the type shown in FIG. 1, that is to say an instaliation which has been constructed by joining together a respective basic unit or element of the type shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Considering, first of all, the v guiding of the warp in accordance with the arrangement of FIG.'12, it will be recognized that the warp is squeezed before and after immersion. Furthermore, it will be recognized with the basic element at the left of this FIG. the wiper rolls 19 and 22 are in operation. The warp does not leave the sizing agent between both of the squeezing nips.

In contrast therewith, in the warp guiding arrangement of FIG. 13 the warp, after being squeezed twice in the left-hand basic unit, is removed from the sizing agent and then is immersed in the sizing agent which is at the right-hand basic unit through the agency of the roller 22 which now serves as a guide roller. Thus, the warp is subsequently squeezed once again. This particular type of guiding of the warp can be advantageously employed for heavy, sizing repellent warps.

FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 illustrate different possibilities of using an installation of the type shown in FIG. 1 for the simultaneous sizing of two different warps, wherein in each instance one warp is always squeezed once and the other twice.

Finally, FIGS. 17 and 18 depict respective installations which are composed or built from four basic units of the type shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein in each instance the first basic unit viewed in the direction of travel of the warp is employed as a delivery or drawing device in order to deliver the warp or warps to the sizing process with as little tension as possible.

Owing to the large number of warp guiding possibilities, particularly when employing more than one basic unit, it is readily possible to successfully fulfill the requirements of the most different types of fibers, numbers of warp threads and different types of sizing agents.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

Iclaim:

l. A sizing box arrangement comprising means defining a container adapted to contain sizing agent at a predetermined level, at least one squeezing zone formed by two rollers between which a warp to be finished can be guided, said two rollers being so arranged with respect to one another that the line of contact between said two rollers defines a squeezing nip coinciding with the level of the sizing agent, one of said rollers constituting a sizing roller which is immersed in said sizing agent, the other roller being constructed as a movably mounted pressure roller which can be pressed against said sizing roller, and a movably mounted further roller pressed against said sizing roller in such a manner that its line of contact with said sizing roller defines a second squeezing mp coinciding with the level of the sizing agent.

2. A sizing box arrangement as defined in claim I, wherein said further roller is constructed as a wiper roll.

3. A sizing box arrangement as defined claim 2, further including means for selectively pressing said wiper roll against said sizing roller.

4. A sizing box arrangement as defined in claim 1, further including a movable wiper roller which can be selectively pressed against or removed from a peripheral portion of said pressure roller, said peripheral portion being located externally of said sizing agent.

5. A sizing box arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein the connecting line between the respective axis of rotation of both of said rollers, in a plane which is perpendicular to said axes, forms an angle with respect to the vertical.

6. A sizing box arrangement as defined in claim 1, further including means for selectively raising and lowering said pressure roller away from and towards said sizing roller.

7. A sizing box arrangement comprising means defining a container adapted to contain sizing agent at a predetermined level, at least one squeezing zone formed by two rollers between which a warp to be finished can be guided, said two rollers being so arranged with respect to one another that the line of contact between said two rollers defines a squeezing nip coinciding with the level of the sizing agent, one of said rollers constituting a sizing roller which is immersed in said sizing agent, the other roller being constructed as a movably mounted pressure roller which can be pressed against said sizing roller, a movably mounted further roller pressed against said sizing roller in such a manner that its line of contact with said sizing roller defines a second squeezing nip coinciding with the level of the sizing agent, and lever means carrying said pressure roller and further roller and said lever means having a common pivot axis located above and to one side of said sizing roller.

8. A sizing box arrangement as claimed in claim 7 and a guide roller rotatable about said common pivot axis.

9. A sizing box arrangement comprising container means adapted to contain sizing agent at a predetermined level, a sizing roll immersed in said sizing agent, said sizing roll being rotatable about a fixed horizontal axis, a pressure roll and an additional roll, said pressure roll being rotatable about an axis above said horizontal axis and to one side of the vertical plane containing said fixed horizontal axis, said additional roll being rotatable about an axis above and on the other side of the vertical plane containing said fixed horizontal axis, and said pressure roll and additional roll each being so cooperably related with said sizing roll that the lines of contact therebetween define squeezing nips on each side of said vertical plane coinciding with the level of the sizing agent. 

